I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7th, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese empire. The meaning of the underlined word in the passage above is:

“Dastardly” means wicked or dishonorable, especially in a cowardly way. In the passage, it describes Japan’s attack as a dishonorable act, so “cowardly” is the best match. “Scary” and “bravely” do not convey that meaning.

AI-written and checked against the verified answer.